Mild Acne: Whiteheads and Blackheads

Whiteheads and blackheads are noninflamed acne; they are the hair follicles clogged with oil. In whiteheads or closed comedones, the openings of the hair follicles are covered by a thin skin layer (Picture 2). In blackheads or open comedones, the oil at the top of the hair follicles is in direct contact with air, so it oxidizes and turns black (Picture 3).

Hormonal acne is usually severe acne that develops in certain hormonal disorders, such as Cushing’s disease, or as a side effect of steroid drugs, including oral corticosteroids, steroid creams, oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids (Pictures 9 and 10).

Very Severe Acne: Acne Conglobata and Fulminans

Acne conglobata is a globe-forming type of acne that develops by the accumulation of several individual acne (Picture 13). Acne fulminans, which means “sudden, like lightning,” is a very severe and painful or bleeding acne, which can develop on the chest or back, mainly in young males (Picture 14).